Dr. Mitchell presented his extensive writings detailing the hazardous noise and pollution generated by leaf blowers, in particular. Mike Prong of Fernridge Landscaping and Eco Consulting, Milton ON enlightened attendees, including (invited) Councillors and Manager, Oakville Bylaw Services, about the advantages and practicalities of choosing non-polluting and 'quiet' outdoor equipment.

The meeting was attended by several landscape contractors, including Tony DiGiovanni of Landscape Ontario (representing over 2,000 members in Ontario) and sales representatives from power equipment manufacturers. There was a willingness to explore 'quiet' alternatives for property maintenance equipment, while there were explicit statements of objection from some landscape contractors around potentially higher labour costs if they had to work without leaf blowers.

"Let’s Rake" members have made themselves available to work with Town of Oakville Bylaw Services manager and staff, to achieve legal recognition and support for all residents' Rights to Quiet in our neighbourhoods, especially impacted by the increasing use of noisy, polluting OPME (Outdoor Property Maintenance Equipment).

We seek to formally present our proposals to Town of Oakville Council in 2016, while continuing to communicate with property maintenance industry personnel.